Arvona Kathryn Cleaver

Arvona Kathryn Cleaver, 71, of Edgewood, NM, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2009 in Boston MA. Arvona was born to Clara (Berger) and Ben Malchow, March 15, 1938. She was baptized and confirmed in St. John’s Lutheran Church, Yutan. She lived in Edgewood, NM since 1993 coming from Omaha, NE. Arvona was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Edgewood, NM. Arvona grew up on a farm 1½ miles east of Mead, the farm her great-grandfather Mumm bought in 1891.It’s still in the family. She has one brother. They attended Mead Consolidated School where she was active in band as a majorette, volleyball, editor of the school annual, home ec, mixed chorus, held class offices, and graduated with church scholarships and awards. Arvona attended Bible and Sunday School, Luther League and Choir and taught Bible and Sunday School. In 1956 she was chosen to represent her home town as Miss Mead during the Fremont Centennial. At Midland, she was active in Cardinal Key, National Honorary Society, Phi Alpha Sorority, German Club, Woman’s Recreation Association, Head of Woman’s Intramurals, and others. She was nominated for Year Book and Charm Girl, and graduated at age 20 with a Bachelor’s Arts Degree. She received a grant to teach German in the University of Lincoln. She taught German 1 and 2 plus she worked towards a Master’s Degree. Later, she took a Civil Service exam and worked as a secretary for Colonel John Drenguis at SATAF, Wahoo NE. Arvona married Gerald Cleaver of Perris, CA, March 15, 1962. He was a lieutenant in the USAF at Mead NE. They married at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Yutan, NE. They lived in Mead Circle, and then transferred to Vandenburg AFB, CA and transferred again to March AFB where Gerald worked on the Atlas Missile program. On March 7, 1963, son, Jerry Bryan, was born in California. Then they transferred to Plattsburg, AFB, New York. In 1965, they moved to Nebraska. On June 19, 1968, Craig Allyn was born in Omaha. In 1982 Gerald, Arvona and sons joyfully added 2 daughters to the family, Amber and Jodi. Arvona is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Gerald “Jerry” Cleaver of Edgewood, NM; two sons, Jerry B. Cleaver and his wife Lisa of Waco, TX, and Craig Cleaver of Kirkland, WA; two daughters, Amber and her husband Scott Sampson of Queens Creek, AZ, and Jodi and her husband Ryan Perry of Albuquerque, NM; one brother, Ardven Malchow; and five grandchildren, Bryan, Shawn, Karissa Cleaver, and Nathan, and Lauren Sampson. There will be a Funeral Service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Edgewood, NM on Friday, July 17, 2009 at 1:30PM with Rev. Edward Maas, emeritus officiating. Pallbearers will be Craig Cleaver, Jerry Cleaver, Ryan Perry, Scott Sampson, Gerhard Bergman, and Rey Fulwiler. Burial will follow at the Stanley Cemetery, Stanley, NM. Arrangements entrusted to: Harris-Hanlon Mortuary (Moriarty) “Our Family Serving Your Family” (505)832-6130 www.Harris-HanlonMorturay.com